DESIGN AND RESEARCH: URBAN, TRANSITION AND ERGONOMIC/BEHAVIORAL

The World Table is an installation that may be deployed in communities to create serendipitous encounters or be a location for planned events - food brings people together.

The table is set up ‘family style’ to promote serendipitous interaction. The design may be read by the user as one large table for celebration or parties, or as smaller ‘rooms’ between the continents where people can take a break and eat or relax. (this configuration is shown on the plan rendering to the right)

A repeating design of the world is laser cut and etched into the tabletop made up of birch plywood panels.

The continents in this map are planted with herbs; the planting pattern reflects agricultural regions and origins of plants; teaching people how food spans distance and cultures. The plants are also a sensory delight, the textures, shapes, colors and scents enliven the dining experience.

As a narrative for sustainability, people may use the herbs and plants growing on the table to flavor their meals. The table is a microcosm: how will the community share the resources on the tabletop? Will they be overused, or managed? How will they set up a management plan?

Project team: Esther Garcia, Phil Zawarus, Ken McCown, Steve Clarke

A smaller version of the table was built for an art exhibition in downtown Las Vegas. Nasar (Tony) Saghafi provided design and design build development.

A view of the digitally routed and etched table showing continents and shipping lanes.